Fall Newsletter November 2014 Good Things Are Happening At School Choir Congratulations High School Mathematics Competition Congratulations to Junior Elana Kane on being selected to the New York State School Music Association Conference All State Mixed Choir! Elana was selected based on her May 2014 NYSSMA solo competition. She is one of only 60 Altos – statewide – to be selected. Elana will travel to Rochester in December and participate in a concert at the Eastman Theater. A group of Frankfort-Schuyler Central High School students will be taking part in the “High School Mathematics Competition” hosted by MVCC, against other Mohawk Valley schools. Elana has also been invited to apply for the NAFME (National Association for Music Education) All-Eastern Choir, which is comprised of the best singers in eleven states from Virginia to Maine. If selected, she will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, in April to participate in a musical performance. Congratulations to Senior Gianni Disano on his selection to the 2015 NAFME National Mixed Choir! Gianni, who participated in the 2013 NYSSMA Conference All State Choir, was invited to audition based on his solo competition score. He submitted a video audition in May and was recently notified of his selection. Gianni was the only chorus student selected from Herkimer and Oneida Counties; and the FIRST Frankfort-Schuyler student to be selected. Gianni traveled to Nashville and participated in a performance by the National Honors Choir, Orchestra and Concert Band at the Grand Ole Opry House. Frankfort-Schuyler Pride Let it Show “The purpose of this competition is to promote the study of mathematics and to recognize those high school juniors and seniors who have shown interest and scholarship in this field.” The competition consists of teams working together to solve applicable problems. Topics ranging from Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry to Probability, Counting Theory, and Statistics will be tested. Prizes will be awarded to the top three scorers and the top team as well. These prizes include technology education tools, book vouchers and free MVCC tuition. Frankfort-Schuyler Is Now Wireless During this past summer, the technology infrastructure that is required for wireless communication and instruction was installed in the Elementary and Middle-Senior High Schools. We are now in the process of developing the appropriate Acceptable Use Policies and protocols for introducing wireless communication as instructional tools. More information to follow! FSCS Mission Statement Our purpose is to provide a positive learning environment in which students and staff will have the opportunity to experience success and become lifelong learners. School News Area All State Chorus and Band The following students have been selected to Area All State Chorus and Band based upon their NYSSMA solo competition score. Chorus Tino Laterza Joie Grimaldi Emma Vanderwerken Elana Kane Band Marissa Padula Students Explore Career Options On October 17, high school students participated in the Mohawk Valley Construction Industry Development Annual Construction Career Day, at the Oneida County DPW facility in Oriskany. The students learned about different construction trades and had opportunities to do some actual hands-on work, including welding and masonry activities. Also in October, our students participated in the Mohawk Valley Manufacturing Day, which was held at CNSE/SUNY POLY. Students learned that manufacturing involves advanced technology, automation, 3-D printing, robots and screen technology. The students were able to attend panel discussions on hot topics in manufacturing and career opportunities in manufacturing. Treaty Program The Treaty Program is a component of the Herkimer County Prevention Council, which is sponsored by Herkimer County Catholic Charities, with support being provided by the Department of Social Services. This program focuses on bullying prevention, conflict resolution, anger management and the development of interpersonal communication skills. This year, the program is being offered to students in fifth grade. Please contact Mrs. Dayton regarding this program. 2 Engineering Design and Development Class Project Engineering Design and Development students brainstormed that the courtyard could be better utilized by students and staff. The students planned to build picnic tables and raised bed gardens. The gardens would incorporate compost that would come from the school’s cafeteria. To date the students have built four picnic tables, eight raised bed gardens, and planted garlic and tulip bulbs that will show off school colors in the spring. The project has already gained support and interest from students and staff, and is a work in progress that continues to grow. Community gardens offer unique opportunities to teach youth about: • Where food comes from; • Practical math skills; • Basic business principles; • The importance of community and stewardship; • Issues of environmental sustainability; • Job and life skills; and, • Community gardening is a healthy, inexpensive activity for youth that can bring them closer to nature, and allow them to interact with each other in a socially meaningful and physically productive way. Prevention Counselor Services These counseling services, which are also provided by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, include assessment, information and referral, crisis intervention and/or ongoing counseling services. Please contact the Middle-High School Guidance Counselors for information regarding this program. Concert Schedule December 3 Middle School Chorus Concert Grade 6 – 6:30 p.m. Grades 7 – 8 – 7:15 p.m. December 10 High School Chorus Concert 7:30 p.m. December 14 Middle-High School FOR Club Caroling December 17 Middle-High School Winter Band Concert 7:00 p.m. December 18 Elementary Band and Chorus Concert 6:30 p.m. Frankfort-Schuyler Central School News School News Good News At Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School Wonders Reading Program The staff and students at Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School are excited to start working with the recently implemented McGraw Hill Wonders Reading Program. The program includes digital and print resources for every lesson. In grades K – 2 the focus is on building strong foundations to reading, which include phonemic awareness (letter and sound relationships) and how to decode words. Grades 3 – 5 students are working on developing their reading fluency (speed and comprehension) to enable them to perform reading tasks in all curriculum areas. The students love the new stories and have been working diligently in their reading programs. Second Grade Pumpkin Caricatures and Book Reports Second grade students read a favorite book, wrote a graphic organizer and book report then created pumpkin caricatures to show that they knew who the main character was. Come see them displayed in the front lobby. Scarecrows in the Educational Garden Each classroom created a scarecrow that reflected one area of their curriculum and they placed them for all to see in the pond area. The focus of the project was the following: students and staff brainstormed an idea, developed the plan to build the scarecrow and then created the scarecrow. Each scarecrow was unique and had demonstrated the many topics that were taught in the various levels. Come drive by the pond and see the True and False Math Fact Scarecrow or the Parts of Speech Scarecrow. Pink Days During the month of October, students and staff raised awareness and funds for Making Strides for Breast Cancer. Students colored pink ribbons dedicated to friends and family, created a pink banner of handprints to let others know that through education and new ideas, we are working towards a cure, walked to the football field where they lined up in the form of a pink ribbon and a photo was taken by Mr. Rocco, and ate lunch on Pink Friday in a cafeteria transformed by pink tablecloths and pink pumpkins. (Lowes of North Utica donated pumpkins and pink paint). Many Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary families and staff members walked in the Making Strides walk at the Masonic Campus. Fall Newsletter - November 2014 3 Palmer Street Frankfort, New York 13340 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 5 Frankfort, New York Resident Frankfort, New York 13340 Telephone Directory Superintendent, Mr. Robert F. Reina ............................................................................................. 894-5083 rreina@frankfort-schuyler.org District Business Office .............................................................................................. 895-7781 or 895-7782 District Clerk, Connie Giordano ..................................................................................................... 894-5083 District Fax Number ....................................................................................................................... 895-7011 Business Official, Kacey Sheppard-Thibault ................................................................................... 895-7781 ksheppard@frankfort-schuyler.org Buildings and Grounds, William Battle ......................................................................................... 895-7781 wbattle@frankfort-schuyler.org School Food Services Director, Thomas Pfisterer ........................................................................... 738-0848 Bus Garage ..................................................................................................................................... 895-4150 Athletic Director, Jeff LaGase ....................................................................................................... 895-7461 jlagase@frankfort-schuyler.org Special Education, Jason Sanchez ................................................................................................... 895-7733 jsanchez@frankfort-schuyler.org Sr. High School Principal, John D. Bubb ....................................................................................... 895-7461 jbubb@frankfort-schuyler.org Middle School Principal, Julie Tangorra ........................................................................................ 895-7462 jtangorra@frankfort-schuyler.org MS/Sr High School Nurse, Concetta Carcone and Denise Luther ................................................ 894-1768 MS/Sr High School Fax ................................................................................................................ 895-4032 F-S Elementary School .................................................................................................................. 895-7491 F-S Elem. Principal, Joyce Dayton .................................................................................................. 895-7491 jdayton@frankfort-schuyler.org F-S Elem. School Nurse, MaryJane Costanza ................................................................................ 895-3007 F-S Elem. Fax ................................................................................................................................. 895-4102 Prekindergarten .............................................................................................................................. 895-7491